Looking to do a SA 75 Gal

[nuth88]

Main fish would be a small (3) group of Guianacara Geayi, looking for compatible tankmates? I really like (Love) the Peru 'Diadema' (Aequidens SP. 'Jenaro Herrera'), but a lil afraid they (1) would be too aggressive for the less aggressive Geayi. Same for the Cichlasoma Amazonarum (Port). Does anyone have experience with these guys in a SA Community? Angels? Severums? Dithers and Cats would be built around compatibility with said fish....Thoughts? Advice? Thank you in Advance!

 

[nuth88]

 

[tlindsey]

Main fish would be a small (3) group of Guianacara Geayi, looking for compatible tankmates? I really like (Love) the Peru 'Diadema' (Aequidens SP. 'Jenaro Herrera'), but a lil afraid they (1) would be too aggressive for the less aggressive Geayi. Same for the Cichlasoma Amazonarum (Port). Does anyone have experience with these guys in a SA Community? Angels? Severums? Dithers and Cats would be built around compatibility with said fish....Thoughts? Advice? Thank you in Advance!

Stanzzzz7
Gourami Swami
duanes

 

[mrrobxc]

You’re correct that mixing Aequidiens is a bad idea with them in a 75. Heros Rotkiel are a smaller growing species of severum that’ll work well with them. A small group of each grown out to a pair or rotkiel and the trio of guianacara would work well. You can mix in a school of the more robust deeper bodied tetras with them.

If you want to forgo the Heros, a small group of wild angels or festivums would work well. Angels need roughly on average of 8 gallons each so plan with that in mind. Again, a deeper bodied tetra would work and if you go with these angels, adding some silver hatchets up top would create activity at all levels.

Good deeper bodied tetras that are commonly aviable and won’t break the bank are:

- Bleeding Hearts
- Colombian blue and red tetras
- HY511 tetras
- Lemon Tetras
- black skirt tetras
- Diamond Tetras
- kitty tetras
- Red Back bleeding heart tetras

I’d stay away from serpae and Buenos Aires tetras if you want angels.

If you want a third species of Cichlid, I highly recommend Crenicichla Regani, Notophalmus, or Orinoco Dwarf. This will make for a fantastic display. Can even add some dwarf water tlettuce up top for additional cover and visual interest.

 

[mrrobxc]

For Cats you have just as many options.

Any of the more robust Cory’s would work if you want a group of 6 minimum. Alternatives could be a trio of porthole catfish, or hoplo cats. If you want something more interesting, a small group of Brachyrhamdia Meesi would be cool as well. All these fish you’ll see out and about while lights are on.

 

[TheFishDodo]

- Bleeding Hearts
- Colombian blue and red tetras
- HY511 tetras
- Lemon Tetras
- black skirt tetras
- Diamond Tetras
- kitty tetras
- Red Back bleeding heart tetras

I’d stay away from serpae and Buenos Aires tetras if you want angels.

These are all great suggestions OP. Especially HY511 tetras they are the only thing I currently am keeping and they are great. They do not like to school to much but they do fill out the mid to upper level of a tank greatly. Another one which seems intresting are the Red Back Bleeding Hearts I know wetspot has some of them in since I was just on their website putting together an order for myself.

 

[duanes]

You’re correct that mixing Aequidiens is a bad idea with them in a 75. Heros Rotkiel are a smaller growing species of severum that’ll work well with them. A small group of each grown out to a pair or rotkiel and the trio of guianacara would work well. You can mix in a school of the more robust deeper bodied tetras with them.

If you want to forgo the Heros, a small group of wild angels or festivums would work well. Angels need roughly on average of 8 gallons each so plan with that in mind. Again, a deeper bodied tetra would work and if you go with these angels, adding some silver hatchets up top would create activity at all levels.

Good deeper bodied tetras that are commonly aviable and won’t break the bank are:

- Bleeding Hearts
- Colombian blue and red tetras
- HY511 tetras
- Lemon Tetras
- black skirt tetras
- Diamond Tetras
- kitty tetras
- Red Back bleeding heart tetras.

If you want a third species of Cichlid, I highly recommend Crenicichla Regani, Notophalmus, or Orinoco Dwarf. This will make for a fantastic display. Can even add some dwarf water tlettuce up top for additional cover and visual interest.

I agree with this, I kept my Guianacara with tetras, and small pike cichlids in a 75 to grow out.
A 75 is a bit small to combine more cichlids of any size, so in the end mine ended up in a 150 gal.

and because the Guianacara get to a significant size themselves, another similar size substrate hugging cichlid may eventually overstock the tank, in a number of ways including territorial floor space.

and I agree about Buenos Aires tetras not being a great choice, these are a cooler water species, whereas being from northern S America the Guianacara prefer warmer conditions, and tetras from this area, may be more apropos.

The Guianacara are not very predatory, so most tetras that keep to the mid and upper regions of the tank with be safe. Even the larger species of Hatchet fish would seem to be an upper region interest creation.

 

[duanes]

One other thing, not that Guianacara are an excessively paranoid type cichlid. But dither fish such as tetras, if comfortable themselves, tend to lessen stress for bottom dwellers such as cichlids. Less stress, better health, and less stress, more of a reason not to hide. Since dither type species are not a territorial concern, like other similar shaped cichlids may be perceived to be, a more calm atmosphere may be the result.

 

[duanes]

Just noticed, its you, Knutson, S'up Dude!!!

 

[neutrino]

Rotkeils work nice with them ime, I've also had them with a group of wild Peru scalare. I've done both combos in a 75 (or larger), plus some tetras, L200 and L260 pleco (you can sub similar small to medium plecs or cats).

The problem I see with sevs, angels, etc. in your tank as it is, or with adding too many fish, is with the deep gravel you have, you've reduced the height of the tank, making it short for tall bodied fish. Also (if you have some tank height) guianacara tend toward the mid and lower part of the tank, sevs and angels mid and upper, part of why they work so well with eartheater types. Also, between that and all the rocks and other décor, you've effectively reduced your tank size a good bit. For what you'd like to do I'd both reduce the gravel down a few inches and open up the aquascape, meaning take out most of the solid, water displacing stuff and replace it with some plants, a few branches, less and/or smaller rock, etc.